The new Anthem has gone a little bit that way too compared to the older models; slacker front end in particular kills a bit of the pure XC sharpness and makes it a bit vague & floaty, especially uphill, but it's not too bad (my reference bike '12 Anthem has a very steep 71-degree head angle, so anything will feel vague after that!). Revised Maestro geometry improves what's already been a good system for some time, somehow making it more rigid under pedalling in the middle gears, while softening the low-gear anti-squat a bit so it doesn't kick back as much on uphill bumps.Hi Matt,
The only way you'll know is to test ride both bikes, which shouldn't be too difficult given they are from the two biggest bike brands.
I haven't ridden the anthem, but the Fuel has become more "trail" (slacker, longer, more travel) than previous generations and is probably no longer similar to an Anthem.
I owned the previous generation of Maestro suspension, so I don't think you'd can go wrong with either bike, but I do think the new Fuels are awesome bikes.
Did I mention you should test ride?
New Anthem is less race-focused than older models, also with a tad more travel than before, so the line is still blurry between the two. Try both.I would choose the Fuel. Can do everything the Anthem can, just less race focused.
Would be more enjoyable with the more travel too.
It can do, as some rear suspension designs don't suit bigger wheels, hanging the rear wheel way out the back which makes handling sluggish. Maestro is one such system, which is why Giant didn't really stick with 29ers for too long, they just didn't work. They still make the Anthem in a 29" but it hasn't really evolved much since the original from 2011. The 27.5" version is a much better bike.Does the difference between the 27.5 and 29 inch wheels determine the choice in bike?
Here is my experience with the Fuel and Anthem, similar to the quoted poster.had my heart set on a 16 EX but didn't like the 9's yellow so waited for '17s. Demoed a 2017 9 and really didn't like it at all. Found it very slow to accelerate, manoeuvre and overall i couldn't get comfortable (yes, i had the correct size). I had the impression the back end weighed a tonne and couldn't really flick it around or have fun with it. after doing a loop that i know very well i was noticeably more fatigued than normal. not sure if this would have been different with the 9.8 model due to weight reduction. it did have heaps of cornering traction but that's to be expected with the OEM tyres fitted.
Demoed a 2017 Anthem advanced 2, and didn't like it on the first day. I think perhaps after riding a 29er for so long i had forgotten how quick small wheels are to change direction so it felt a little skittish and nervous. However, it was a medium when i really needed a large so that didn't help on the first ride either. Second day of demo i had an absolute blast and ended up buying one. No complaints so far except for the Nobby Nic up front. fast, light, and fun. can handle anything i am game enough to throw at it. the redesign this year makes it much more capable than the old very XC focused anthem.
I think it will depend largely on where and how you ride as always though. i ride brisbane trails that are largely XC pedally type trails (Bunya, Daisy Hill, Gap Ck, Mt Cotton, Cleveland) so i needed a bike that would provide fun on downs but not destroy the ride day because the ups sucked - the anthem is easily faster and more enjoyable to pedal uphill than the EX for me. Plus, I like a bike that is fun to throw around (even though mostly XC), will come off the ground easily and will be controllable when doing so. couldn't do any of those things with the EX and it felt just like a steam roller. The anthem felt great once my riding style adjusted back to smaller wheels.
but, you gotta test ride mate. they may feel completely different for you, your style, your location. Lots of reviews around for the EX because they were released earlier. Flow reviewed the Anthem 2 which i had actually read after buying the bike and i agree with their assessment of the feel completely.
cheers
Trek's sizing is retarded, that accounts for the sizing differences.Thanks Danimal,
I can't actually find many reviews on the Trek Fuel Ex 7.
I have been sized as a large on Treks and had a coupe of different stores size me as a medium on the anthem so am a little confused as to sizing.
I am leaning towards the Anthem 2.
Does the difference between the 27.5 and 29 inch wheels determine the choice in bike?
Looking at bikes in this genre and price range myself here are some of the prices of Treks with carbon wheels v's the Anthem with stock carbon wheels:The Trek Top Fuel is closer to the Anthem than the Fuel EX is.
The lower spec alloy EX's weigh over 14kg but the carbon is considerably lighter, especially with carbon wheels.
I guess you need to work out what riding you'll be doing and what sort of bike you want for that.
I have an older Superfly FS which is 100mm front 110mm rear with carbon wheels and it pretty quickly gets out of its depth when the track gets rough and you're pushing hard. I use it primarily for XC racing and fireroad rides. I also have a Remedy for when I want to ride rougher stuff. If I had to get rid of both and get one bike, it would be a hard choice between the Top Fuel and the EX but I think I'd go the Top Fuel as I'd prefer a faster race bike.
Oh I didn't say it was an actual thing, just something I have stuck in my mind! Have ridden a couple of 27.5 bikes that have been more trail orientated and they weren't anywhere as good at rolling over stuff as my 29er brickI was riding the Anthem Advsnce 1 up rock stairs on the weekend. I am interested to know what exactly you need a 29er to roll over.
FWIW I got my 2016 Trance Advanced 1 for $3900.